Choosing a Tunisian festival

The blazing heat of summer means it is time for the festivals of Tunisia to blossom, and the events run the full gamut from musical affairs to flash-bulb illuminated film festivals.

Between July and August, thousands of music fans swoop upon El Jem to fill up one of the world's best-preserved Roman coliseums for the El Jem International Symphonic Festival.

The age-old setting is quite extraordinary, creating a mood that is at once intimate and romantic, as well as being a spectacularly all-embracing experience with thousands of other people.

The festival attracts scores of the world's finest classical musicians and conductors, and provides an enchantingly exotic alternative to the likes of our home-grown Glyndebourne.

Or if it is the splash of celebrity one seeks, try catching the International Festival of Carthage.

Again taking place in July and August, this international film festival sees some of Arabia's biggest stars come out to play, including singers Iheb Toufik and Grace Deeb.

Live musical entertainment, which has in the past included Joe Cocker, James Brown and Ray Charles, combines with film releases such as Ocean's 12 and A Shark's Tale.

Perhaps a taste of legendary literary figures is what one wants from their holiday, in which case Djerba is the place to go. In July every year it holds the Ulysses Festival, which recreates the Greek hero's landing there.

It has been agreed by Classicists that Djerba is the land of the Lotus-Eaters as described in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. Visitors to the festival can indulge in the intoxicating dates hanging from the island's trees, which may well have been the lotuses Homer referred to.

There are also large, quiet beaches to enjoy, where you can lie back with a cocktail, and perhaps enjoy an epic Greek tome.

For more information on the International Festival of Carthage, visit www.festival-carthage.com.tn XXX